Sharks' quick exit brings calm response

SHARKS

Published 4:00 am, Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Photo: Jeff Roberson, Associated Press

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St. Louis Blues' Andy McDonald (10) celebrates with Carlo Colaiacovo (28) and Patrik Berglund, of Sweden, after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round hockey playoff series, Saturday, April 21, 2012, in St. Louis. The Blues won 3-1 and won the series 4-1. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson) less

St. Louis Blues' Andy McDonald (10) celebrates with Carlo Colaiacovo (28) and Patrik Berglund, of Sweden, after scoring against the San Jose Sharks during the third period in Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup ... more

Photo: Jeff Roberson, Associated Press

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San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, top, watches game with left wing Torrey Mitchell and center Dominic Moore (18) against the St. Louis Blues during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL Stanley Cup first-round hockey playoff series, Monday, April 16, 2012 in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma) less

San Jose Sharks head coach Todd McLellan, top, watches game with left wing Torrey Mitchell and center Dominic Moore (18) against the St. Louis Blues during the third period in Game 3 of an NHL Stanley Cup ... more

San Jose players, head coach Todd McLellan and general manager Doug Wilson expressed disappointment at the team's first-round ouster, and everyone tried to shoulder as much blame as possible.

The forwards, especially on the top lines, didn't score enough - or in some significant cases, at all. The penalty kill was abysmal. The Sharks weren't playing their best hockey. They didn't execute.

There was no finger pointing, but apart from the penalty kill, there also was no real consensus on areas to fix or changes that need to be made, although it is clear that there will be changes.

Could those changes start at the top? Conventional wisdom around the team says they won't, but Wilson said he himself is still being evaluated, and when he was asked about McLellan's job, he did not provide any guarantees.

"I believe in Todd," Wilson said Tuesday morning at Sharks Ice in San Jose. "Todd has been to the Final Four. He's won a Cup in Detroit. I think he knows this game, but there are some things where we will all sit down and where we have to get better."

McLellan did not voice much concern over his job status, saying, "Do I expect to be back? Absolutely. I'm very confident in what we do, I'm very confident in the coaching staff, and I firmly believe the players believe in us as a group as we believe in them."

McLellan said that he and Wilson have an excellent relationship and that they will sit down and discuss ways to improve the team.

One thing that appears to be off the table is a full rebuild. Patrick Marleau, Joe Thornton and Dan Boyle are signed for the next two seasons at a combined $20.6 million and have no-trade clauses.

One persistent rumor has been a trade for Columbus captain Rick Nash, but he is making nearly $8 million per year though 2017-18, so not only would San Jose have to part with some superb talent to get him, it also would have to find a way to clear cap space.

Wilson said he thinks it's a matter of retooling, and McLellan said, "This is not an old hockey club. A lot of our core players are in the prime of their careers."

There is talk of a changing of the guard in the Western Conference, away from the puck-possession Red Wings' style to the tight-checking, defense-oriented play of St. Louis and Los Angeles.

"You look at the teams still in it, and offense isn't necessary," Boyle said. "What's winning it is team defense and goaltending."

Brent Burns, a defenseman, was one of the biggest acquisitions in the offseason, and Boyle said that he thought the team defense was better and deeper.

The penalty kill, though, was a major problem, and one that Wilson said will be addressed. Michal Handzus was acquired to help the PK, but the Sharks went from 24th in the league in 2010-11 to 29th this season, stopping 76.9 percent; only Columbus was worse. During the first round, St. Louis scored six power-play goals to San Jose's two.

"The PK has to be better and that's on me, I'm the coach," McLellan said. "We've fallen off the past two years; it's obvious changes have to be made there."

Surgery for Couture:Forward Logan Couture confirmed he has been playing with a sore left shoulder for some time, the result of a separation he incurred two years ago that resurfaced and affected him on face-offs and while shooting. He said he will have surgery next week, and though he is not certain the exact nature of the procedure, he is told he can begin rehab three weeks afterward. He is expected to be healthy for next season.

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